'It is time to cleanse the nation': PM tells ministries to cut garbage and pollution as he seeks Bollywood support for 'Swachch Bharat' mission

For the first time in the history of India, Gandhi Jayanti will not be a holiday for government staff, who will have to report to work to take the ‘Swachch Shapath’.

On September 20 Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth directed all central government secretaries to ensure that every employee takes the pledge on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The text of the pledge will soon be sent to all the departments.

BJP leaders present Modi with a statue of Kempe Gowda in Bangalore

Besides this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several steps to implement one of the biggest public campaigns for cleanliness.

The minutes of the meeting between Modi and 20 secretaries reveal that a new law may be enforced to ensure cleanliness. The prime minister has asked the law ministry to amend existing laws or to analyse whether a new Act is required to act against those who litter.

The prime minister also directed the Finance Ministry to explore a taxation policy to keep a check on those who pollute.

According to the minutes of meetings, Modi was of the opinion that dairies and cattle are major sources of garbage and pollution in urban areas and towns. Hence, he directed the animal husbandry department to consider setting up cattle hostels.

The prime minister asked his sub-ordinates to engage Bollywood celebrities in a big way to campaign for his ‘Swachch Bharat’ mission.

Famous poets and singers should also be a part of the nationwide campaign that will begin on September 25, the prime minister said.

A marathon will be organised by the sports ministry to create awareness about the cleanliness drive in every city with a population of over one lakh.

The Prime Minister further suggested the Department of School and Education should ensure questions on cleanliness in examinations.

Meanwhile, prime minister Modi noted that he had undertaken plans to cleanse the political system and the administration machinery.

“Now is the time to cleanse the nation. I want each one of you to contribute in every possible way. It is our vision to present a clean India to the outside world,” he asserted. Coming down heavily on the banking system, Modi wondered whether the banks served the purpose they were set up for. “We need inclusive growth. Our Jan Dhan sceheme will help us achieve it,” he said. PM woos Bangalore with clean India call ON his maiden visit to Karnataka after assuming the office of the prime minister, Narendra Modi unveiled his vision for a “clean” India before thousands of Bangaloreans gathered outside the HAL Airport on Tuesday. “How is that other countries are so neat and clean? How is that we keep our homes clean? Why cannot we extend the same attitude towards our country? I am urging the people to take a step forward and ensure India is clean. Please donate 100 hours every year towards upkeep of the nation,” Modi said, addressing the people. The prime minister pointed out that he would embark on a countrywide mission to create awareness among the people to keep their neighbourhoods and cities clean. Incidentally, Bangalore had twice hit international headlines in the last four years because of overflowing garbage and solid wastes under the BJP regime in the city. Though Modi did not make any direct reference to Bangalore or the BJP, which is in power in the Greater Bangalore City Corporation (GBCC), the embarrassment was visible on the faces of the Bangalore mayor and councillors.. He utilized the opportunity to highlight the relevance of archaic laws. “Some of the laws are not applicable to our present system and they have lost their importance. We need a paradigm shift the way we draft new laws. The government has set up a special panel to look into this,” he said. Mail Today/Bangalore

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'It is time to cleanse the nation': PM tells ministries to cut garbage and pollution as he seeks Bollywood support for 'Swachch Bharat' mission